Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Bob French has died

I was listening to a random playlist of New Orleans jazz as I was driving to Newbury Park this morning. I usually start my commutes with music. It helps steady my nerves for the coming fight with LA traffic. I switched over to NPR after a few songs. The first thing I heard was that Bob French had died. Weird. Right?

Robert "Bob" French Sr., the longtime leader and drummer of the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band and an outspoken, at times controversial, WWOZ-FM deejay, died on Monday, Nov. 12, after a long illness. He was 74.

Bob French was one of those names that I always associated with New Orleans jazz. I am saddened by his passing.